CN1734368A - Fixing device and image forming device using the same - Google Patents
Fixing device and image forming device using the same Download PDFInfo
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- CN1734368A CN1734368A CNA2005100511046A CN200510051104A CN1734368A CN 1734368 A CN1734368 A CN 1734368A CN A2005100511046 A CNA2005100511046 A CN A2005100511046A CN 200510051104 A CN200510051104 A CN 200510051104A CN 1734368 A CN1734368 A CN 1734368A
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- heat
- recording medium
- paper
- heat absorption
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/20—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat
- G03G15/2003—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat
- G03G15/2014—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat using contact heat
- G03G15/2064—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat using contact heat combined with pressure
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- Fixing For Electrophotography (AREA)
Abstract
A fixing device includes a heat unit that heats a toner image on a first recording medium and a heat absorption and transmission unit that absorbs heat of the first recording medium sent from the heat unit and transmits the heat thus absorbed to a second recording medium to be sent to the heat unit. The heat absorption and transmission unit includes a belt member circulated around tensile members to transport the first and second recording media. The belt member has a heat absorption portion and a heat transmission portion downstream and upstream from the heat unit, respectively. The heat absorption portion contacts the first recording medium and absorbs heat in a state that periphery of a contact region is thermally insulated, and the heat transmission portion contacts the second recording medium and transmits heat in a state that a periphery of a contact region is thermally insulated.
Description
Technical field
The improvement of the fixing device that the present invention relates to use in the image processing system, this image processing system are such as the printer or the duplicating machine that use electrophotographic system, electrostatic recording system etc., and relate to the improvement of the image processing system that uses fixing device.
Background technology
Traditionally, as known a kind of image processing system, sequentially primary transfer is to the intermediate transfer part at each color that forms on the parts such as sensitive piece toner picture quilt partly, and the polychrome toner picture on the intermediate transfer part is concentrated by secondary transfer printing device (concentrating transfer device) and is transferred on a piece of paper.
In recent years, this coloured image of strong request formed device high speed, miniaturization and energy-conservation.Particularly, the fuser that requires to consume energy most in image forming course uses power-saving technology (power technique), so that reduce environmental pressure.
According to this demand, disclosed a kind of technology, the heat of a piece of paper of removing after the photographic fixing and from fixing device wherein directly or indirectly is transmitted to a piece of paper before the photographic fixing, with the preheating before fixing of this paper, thereby reduce the required heat energy of fixing that after preheating, carries out, and the increase fixation rate, and do not increase the required electric energy of heating (for example, referring to JP-A-8-38412 (embodiment, Fig. 2 to 15) and JP-A-2000-33803 (embodiment, Fig. 1)).
But, in this technology, make a piece of paper after photographic fixing directly before the contact photographic fixing structure of a piece of paper only can be applicable to continuous form (Scroll paper).That is, because this technology can not be used for individual sheets, therefore the problem that occurs is the versatility that has limited employed paper.
And, as shown in figure 10, a kind of method has been proposed, in the time will being transferred to toner on the paper 102 as photographic fixing by sensitive piece 101 by fixing device 103, heat pipe 106 is contained between the upstream side part 104 and downstream part 105 of fixing device 103, thereby the heat of the paper after the photographic fixing of downstream part 105 102 is conducted to upstream side part 104 (for example, referring to JP-A-8-38412).
In the structure of this heat pipe with tape cell module, perhaps the heat of paper conducts in the structure of paper before the photographic fixing by heat transfer unit after photographic fixing, can use individual sheets, thereby can guarantee the versatility of paper, wherein heat transfer unit can be a heat transfer block, the combination of heat transfer plate or heat transfer roll and band.But, stable for the heat that makes heat transfer unit, so that absorbed heat fully/the heat transfer effect effect, need the temperature of heat transfer unit constantly be raise, and near the temperature after the firm photographic fixing of paper.That is, in this structure, because the temperature of heat transfer unit of need raising for a long time, therefore the problem that produces is that the heat energy of fixing can not reduce immediately.
Particularly, in this case, carry out continually tens paper or still less medium-sized the or compact image of the printing of paper or copying operation form device, almost can not reach above-mentioned effect.
And, in the method for heat transfer unit being used auxiliary heating in order to reach heat absorption/heat-transfer effect immediately (improving the speed that obtains this effect), consumed big energy, therefore this method is not a kind of good power save mode.
And, as shown in figure 11, a kind of method by following mode (for example, referring to JP-A-8-38412) has been proposed.Promptly, be with 201 and paper conveying belt 202 be provided with in opposite directions, well heater 203 is positioned at is with 201 inboards, pressure contact board 204 places well heater 203 both sides (upstream side and downstream), make be with 201 and paper conveying belt 202 between form the pressure contact condition, thereby be with 201 and paper conveying belt 202 between carry paper 205.In this structure, the heat transmission belt 206 that moves along the direction opposite with paper conveying belt 202 moving directions also is housed in paper conveying belt 202 inboards, conduct towards upstream side with the heat that will absorb in well heater 203 downstreams, thus preheating paper 205.
But in this structure, the conveying belt of conveyance of sheets is not as heat transfer medium, and heat transmission belt separates setting with conveying belt, so complex structure and heat transfer efficiency decline.
As mentioned above, every kind of above-mentioned conventional art only is transmitted to paper before the photographic fixing with the heat of paper after the photographic fixing by the heat absorption conduction unit indirectly.
Summary of the invention
The present invention proposes in view of above-mentioned technical matters, the invention provides a kind of fixing device, wherein at absorption of recording medium heat after photographic fixing and before conducting heat to photographic fixing during recording medium, directly carry out heat absorption and conduction, thereby reduce heat energy, and the present invention also provides a kind of image processing system that uses this fixing device.
According to an aspect of the present invention, fixing device comprises: heating unit is used to heat the toner picture on first recording medium; And heat absorption and conduction unit, be used to absorb first recording medium of sending from heating unit heat, and the heat that will so absorb conduct to and will be transported to second recording medium of heating unit.Heat absorption and conduction unit comprise around a plurality of tensioner circulations mobile to carry the tape member of first and second recording mediums.Described tape member has heat absorption part and heat conduction portion respectively in the downstream and the upstream of heating unit.The heat absorption part contacts with first recording medium and absorb heat under the state of periphery for thermal insulation of contact area, and the heat conduction portion contacts second recording medium and conduct heat under the state of periphery for thermal insulation of contact area.
According to another aspect of the present invention, image processing system is included on the recording medium image formation unit that forms the toner picture, and above-mentioned will be formed on toner on first recording medium as the fixing device of photographic fixing.
Therefore, described tape member has the conveying function of recording medium and the heat absorption and the conduction function of recording medium simultaneously, thus heat can be directly from absorption of recording medium and be transmitted on the recording medium.Therefore, compare with conduction technique with traditional indirect heat absorption, the amount of required heat energy when the present invention can reduce photographic fixing greatly, thus can realize energy-conservation fixing device.
Description of drawings
Describe embodiments of the present invention in detail below with reference to accompanying drawing, wherein:
Figure 1A and 1B are the key diagrams of expression fixing device structure of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is the figure that schematically illustrates of the expression first embodiment image processing system;
Fig. 3 is the key diagram of the expression first embodiment fixing device;
Fig. 4 is the key diagram of the expression first embodiment fuser;
Fig. 5 is the key diagram of the schematic structure of the expression first embodiment idler roller;
Fig. 6 is the key diagram of the cross-section structure of the expression first embodiment idler roller;
Fig. 7 is the key diagram of the improvement embodiment of the expression first embodiment idler roller;
Fig. 8 is the key diagram of the fixing device of the expression second embodiment image processing system:
Fig. 9 is expression the 3rd embodiment result's a key diagram;
Figure 10 is the key diagram that traditional fixing device of heat pipe is used in expression; And
Figure 11 is the key diagram that traditional fixing device of heat conduction band is used in expression.
Embodiment
Embodiment shown in inciting somebody to action with reference to the accompanying drawings below describes the present invention in detail.
Shown in Figure 1A and 1B, fixing device according to embodiment of the present invention comprises: in order to add the heating unit 1 of the toner picture on the thermal recording media 5, and heat absorption and conduction unit 2, this heat absorption and conduction unit 2 are used for absorbing heat from the recording medium 5 of heating unit 1 output, and the heat that will so absorb conducts to and will be transported to another recording medium 5 of heating unit 1, wherein, heat absorption and conduction unit 2 comprise the tape member 3 that is used for conveying recording medium 5, described tape member 3 stretches on a plurality of tensioner 4, and it is mobile around a plurality of tensioner circulations, wherein said tape member 3 has heat absorption section H A in heating unit 1 downstream, this heat absorption section H A contact history medium 5, and be from the absorption of recording medium heat under the adiabatic state in area peripheral edge towards the contact region, and described tape member 3 also has heat conduction portion HT at heating unit 1 upstream side, and this heat conduction portion HT contacts with another recording medium 5, and under the state of area peripheral edge for thermal insulation of contact region, heat is being conducted to another recording medium.
Like this, though conventional art is designed so that to use the parts that separate with conveying member, have heat absorption and conduction function to absorb and conduct heat indirectly, wherein conveying member has the function of conveying recording medium 5, but embodiments of the present invention and conventional art main difference are, described tape member 3 has the conveying function of recording medium and the heat absorption and the conduction function of recording medium 5 simultaneously, so that directly absorb and conduct heat.
In such technical unit, the fixing device that proposes according to the embodiment of the present invention uses heating unit 1 will be formed on toner on the recording medium 5 as photographic fixing.In this case, heating unit 1 only is used to promote the fixing of the toner picture on the recording medium 5, and also comprises a kind of fusing system of use, for example, only uses heating process or uses the heating and two processes or the like of pressurizeing.
And because tape member 3 is used as heat absorption and conduction unit 2, heat absorption can have relative little thermal capacitance with conduction unit, and also can make it and recording medium 5 that big contact area is arranged, thereby heat absorption and conduction are carried out efficiently.
In addition, because heat absorption section H A and heat conduction portion HT have the contact area between tape member 3 and the recording medium 5, heat absorption section H A absorbs heat effectively, and the heat that absorbs like this can be conducted to the recording medium 5 before the photographic fixing effectively, thereby can improve the thermal efficiency.In addition, the quantity of not special check strap parts 3.For example, as long as heat absorption section H A and heat conduction portion HT are arranged at the downstream and the upstream side of heating unit 1 respectively, just can use two tape members 3 so as with recording medium 5 be clipped in its two between.In this case, because recording medium 5 conveying members (tape member 3 of corresponding embodiment of the present invention) own can absorb and conduct heat, so the fixing device that can realize having simple structure and higher thermal efficient.
In addition, the periphery that " area peripheral edge towards the contact region is adiabatic state " comprises contact region between tape member 3 and the recording medium 5 is by the adiabatic state of atmosphere, and perhaps the periphery of contact region contacts the state of insulation.Recording medium 5 can be clamped by tape member from its both sides.
Further, shown in Figure 1A, in embodiments of the present invention, tape member 3 can separate setting with heating unit 1, descends to prevent tape member 3 thermotolerances, thereby prolongs its life-span.And, shown in Figure 1B,, use to have stable on heating tape member 3, and tape member 3 be set so that it passes the heating part of heating unit 1 for the structure of simplification device.Particularly, according to the structure of tape member being passed heating part, because long zone can be by effectively as heat absorption section H A from the downstream that heating unit 1 roll gap partly begins, tape member 3 can carry out heat absorption in the stage early.Like this, even when processing speed is accelerated, also can use embodiments of the present invention.
According to embodiment of the present invention, tensioner 4 be used for retainer belt parts 3 operating path and tape member 3 circulation is moved.For the heat absorption section H A that makes tape member 3 absorbs heat effectively and the heat that absorbs is conducted to heat conduction portion HT effectively, tensioner can be provided with heat insulation layer 4a.
Because tensioner 4 is provided with heat insulation layer 4a, in whole heat energy that tape member 3 absorbs, the a part of heat energy (tensioner 4 absorbs some heat energy by heat conduction) that loses owing to contact tensioner 4 can diminish, thereby tape member 3 can more effectively carry out the conduction of heat absorption and heat.Heat insulation layer 4a can be by forming at tensioner 4 surface laminated foams.Use another kind of method, for example, tensioner 4 can form by insulation itself.In each case, do not limit the thickness etc. of this layer especially.
When elastic foam material is used as the material of heat insulation layer 4a, except the insulation effect of the bubble of foam, can also improve heat-insulating property.In this case, the exemplary of elastic foam material is polyurathamc, foaming silicones etc.
And, have uneven surface so that when reducing at heat insulation layer with tape member 3 contacted contacts area, when tensioner 4 contact zones parts 3, can reduce contact area.As a result, the heat that tensioner 4 side draughts are received can reduce, so insulation effect can further improve.As long as it is mobile that tape member 3 can circulate, just do not limit the structure of heat insulation layer 4a especially.For example, heat insulation layer can be designed to along the mode of the projection of the direction Discrete Distribution of vertical tensioner 4 turning axles, perhaps be designed to the mode of the projection of turning axle vergence direction Discrete Distribution.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, when tensioner 4 is designed to form heat insulation layer 4a on the surface of metal cylinder roller, can obtain to have the tensioner 4 of good processing properties and rigidity.And because the roller of tensioner 4 has drum, so tensioner 4 thermal capacitances own can diminish.Like this, even when the heat of tape member 3 is transmitted to metallic roll by heat insulation layer 4a, the increase of temperature also can be saturated at short notice, thereby can carry out from tape member 3 to recording medium 5 effective heat conduction fast.And, especially, when the cylindrical metal roller is designed to thinner thickness, tensioner 4 thermal capacitances own are further reduced, thereby above-mentioned effect is more remarkable.
And according to the embodiment of the present invention, each heat absorption section H A of tape member 3 and heat conduction portion HT be a side surface of contact history medium 5 only, so that absorb heat and the heat that absorbs is conducted to recording medium 5 from recording medium 5 effectively.According to this structure, absorb heats and heat is conducted to the thermal capacitance of the tape member 3 of recording medium 5 from recording medium 5, compare with the situation on the surface of tape member 3 contact history media 5 bilaterals and can become bigger.And, in this case,, thereby can more effectively carry out absorbing heats and heat being conducted to recording medium 5 from recording medium 5 because a side surface of recording medium 5 can be exposed in the very low atmosphere of temperature conductivity.
And, in this case, tape member 3 each heat absorption section H A and heat conduction portion HT place can with recording medium 5 on be formed with the surface opposite of toner picture the surface contact.According to this structure, can prevent that tape member 3 from contacting the toner picture before photographic fixing, therefore can prevent image quality decrease.At each heat absorption section H A and heat conduction portion HT, do not limit the direction (that is, recording medium 5 is placed on tape member 3 tops or below) that recording medium 5 contacts with tape member 3 especially.But when recording medium 5 just in time was placed on tape member 3 belows, by electrostatic attraction or mode like that, recording medium 5 can contact and remain on desired location with the tape member 3 that is positioned at recording medium 5 tops.
The present invention not only is applied to above-mentioned fixing device, and is applied to image processing system.Be applied under the situation of image processing system, image processing system can be included on the recording medium 5 image formation unit that forms the toner picture and with the toner that forms on the recording medium 5 fixing device as photographic fixing, wherein this fixing device uses aforesaid way design.
First embodiment
Fig. 2 is the synoptic diagram that image processing system first embodiment of the present invention is used in expression.
In the drawings, image processing system comprises: document reading apparatus 10 is used to read the file on the platen 11; Image formation unit 20 (20a is to 20d) is used for according to for example image (toner picture) of electrophotographic system four different colours compositions of formation (being yellow, magenta, blue-green, black in the present embodiment); Intermediate transfer belt 30, transfer printing sequentially (primary transfer) and each the color component image that keeps image formation unit 20 to form; Device 31 concentrates transfer printing (secondary transfer printing) to paper (recording medium) superimposed images that are transferred to intermediate transfer belt 30; Fixing device 40, with the image fixing of secondary transfer printing on paper; Supply the paper supply tray 51 to 53 of different size sheets; Accommodate the discharge tray 70 of the paper that is formed with the toner picture; And many paper transportation path that paper are transported to discharge tray 70 from paper supply tray 51 to 53.
In the present embodiment, document reading apparatus 10 is by for example placing the file reading section 12 below the platen 11 and placing ADF (autofile conveyer) 13 above the platen 11.File reading section 12 comprises: be used to shine the light source that places the paper surface on the platen 11; To convert the photo-electric conversion element such as CCD of electric signal from the reflected light of paper surface to; Formation will be directed to the catoptron of right quantity in the path of photo-electric conversion element from the reflected light of paper surface; And the reflected light of paper surface converged to the convergent lens of the image formation surface of photo-electric conversion element, or the like.Document reading apparatus 10 is used to read and manually is placed on the platen 11 or is placed on file on the platen 11 by ADF13, and the information translation of reading is become the view data corresponding with file.
Each image formation unit 20 (20a is to 20d) comprises photosensitive drums 21, and also comprises around photosensitive drums 21 peripheries: for the charging device 22 of photosensitive drum charging, as charging roller; Sub-image (sub-image mainly is based on view data that reads from document reading apparatus 10 or the view data of taking from other recording medium, or the like) is write on the exposure device 23 on the photosensitive drums 21 of having charged, as laser scanner; Use the toner of each color component will write on the developing apparatus 24 of feeling the image development on the drum 21; The toner of photosensitive drums 21 is looked like to be transferred to primary transfer device 25 on the intermediate transfer belt 30, as transfer roll; And the photosensitive drums clearer 26 of removing residual toner on the photosensitive drums 21.
In addition, reference number 27 (27a is to 27d) expression toner feeding mechanism, it is fed to developing apparatus 24 with toner, thereby makes the toner of each color be fed to developing apparatus 24.
And intermediate transfer belt 30 is designed to the film like endless belt, and its specific insulation is about 10
9To 10
12In the Ω cm scope, for example,, conductive carbon black forms by being mixed in the polyimide resin.Intermediate transfer belt is suspended on three idler rollers 32 to 34.
According to present embodiment, because idler roller 33 places idler roller 32 belows, intermediate transfer belt 30 downward-sloping placements.Each image formation unit 20 (20a is to 20d) is between idler roller 33 and idler roller 34, place intermediate transfer belt 30 downsides along intermediate transfer belt 30.Therefore, the toner that is scattered from image formation unit 20 can not influence intermediate transfer belt 30, thereby can keep not contaminated high quality graphic.
And according to present embodiment, idler roller 32 is as the backing roll of secondary transfer printing device 31, and by this way, the toner picture that image formation unit 20 is formed on intermediate transfer belt 30 is transferred on the paper by concentrated by secondary transfer printing device 31.Like this and since after just having formed the toner picture on the intermediate transfer belt 30 just with toner as secondary transfer printing to paper, therefore can prevent the toner distortion of image on the intermediate transfer belt 30, thereby form the further image of raising of quality.
In addition, the transfer belt cleaning device of residual toner on the reference number 35 expression cleaning intermediate transfer belts 30.
, almost be on the horizontal direction, and have structure shown in Figure 3 with respect to the secondary transfer printing position according to the fixing device 40 of present embodiment.
In the drawings, fixing device 40 designs have: as the fuser 41 of heating unit, in order to the toner on the paper S is melted and photographic fixing; Heat absorption band 46, as the heat absorption conduction unit, at the heat of the heat absorption section H A absorption paper S that places fuser 41 downstreams, and the heat that will so absorb is transmitted to paper S at the heat conduction portion HT of fuser 41 upstream sides; And in order to 7 idler rollers 47 of stretching heat absorption band 46.
As shown in Figure 4, fuser 41 designs have last unit 41a and lower unit 41b.The heat screen 412 that last unit 41a comprises backer roll 411 and is used to cover backer roll 411.Lower unit 41b comprises warm-up mill 413 that is built-in with well heater 415 and the heat screen 414 that covers warm-up mill 413.Heat screen 412,414 comprises heat radiation plate 416a, 416b, and heat radiation plate 416a, 416b are made of metal, and place backer roll 411 and warm-up mill 413 1 sides respectively, and its outside is coated with vacuum insulation spare 417a, 417b respectively.Each reference number 418a, 418b represent outer cover.
In the present embodiment, certain distance was opened in 412,414 minutes with heat screen respectively in the position of backer roll 411 and warm-up mill 413, for example, arrived in the 20mm scope 3, by this way, made heat screen 412,414 clamp backer roll 411 and warm-up mill 413 in vertical direction.And in the present embodiment, because backer roll 411 and warm-up mill 413 are placed in opposite directions in vertical direction, the roll gap part of paper S between the two almost along continuous straight runs moves (see figure 3).But paper conveyance direction of the present invention is not limited thereto direction.
In order to absorb heat and to conduct heat to paper S, need suitably to select the thermal capacitance of the heat absorption band 46 of present embodiment from paper S.
That is, when the thermal capacitance of heat absorption band 46 too hour, though the programming rate of heat absorption band 46 itself is fast, absorbed heat from paper S before a piece of paper S even be transmitted to down at heat, the heat of absorption also scatters and disappears easily.And, before conducting heat to photographic fixing, during paper S,, therefore be difficult to conduct effectively heat because paper S is not fully heated.
On the contrary, when the thermal capacitance of heat absorption band 46 is too big,, therefore need the long period to stablize the temperature of heat absorption band because the programming rate of heat absorption band 46 itself is slow.Like this,, print under the use pattern of several paper repeating, be difficult to the preceding paper S of effective preheating photographic fixing because it is long that net heat is transmitted to the required time of paper S before the photographic fixing.
Therefore, bring effective absorption and conduction heat in order to use heat absorption, the thermal capacitance that needs heat absorption band 46 is roughly in the thermal capacitance of use a piece of paper S arrives scope times over the thermal capacitance of a piece of paper S.
According to present embodiment, be the Kapton of 75 μ m owing to adopt thickness, a piece of paper S after just having started from image processing system, heat absorption is exactly effective.
And, in order to use the heat absorption band to absorb and the conduction heat, the heat that the idler roller 47 that also needs to reduce to contact with heat absorption band 46 is absorbed.
As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, idler roller 47 designs by this way, promptly on the SUS of thinner thickness pipe 471, cover the froth bed of making by urethane resin 472, and form the recessed part 472a and the projection 472b of froth bed 472 along the direction of 47 of vertical idler rollers with rough surface.In addition, reference number 47a and 47b represent the turning axle at idler roller 47 two ends among Fig. 5.
In the present embodiment, because idler roller 47 surface coverage froth beds 472, and froth bed 472 is formed with rough surface, so when contact with heat absorption band 46, from the heat minimizing of heat absorption band 46 absorptions.And, because the thin SUS pipe 471 of used thickness, so idler roller 47 thermal capacitances own diminish.Like this, even the temperature of idler roller 47 is owing to heat conduction raises, idler roller 47 also can be saturated fast, so the superfluous heat that idler roller 47 absorbs is little.
Therefore, heat absorption band 46 can more effectively be carried out heat absorption and conduction.
And in the present embodiment, the charging device (not shown) that paper S is adsorbed onto heat absorption band 46 of being used to charge is arranged on heat absorption band 46 inboards of fuser 41 upstream sides, described charging device such as corona tube.In the present embodiment, the discharge section of discharging paper S after the photographic fixing from fixing device constitutes by the idler roller 47 that is positioned at heat absorption band 46 downstreams and with distributing roller 48 that idler roller 47 is provided with in opposite directions.Distributing roller 48 has the structure (see figure 3) identical with idler roller 47.
In addition, as shown in Figure 2, in the present embodiment, paper supply tray 51 to 53 lays respectively at the upper and lower portion of image processing system.When the paper of frequent use was contained in the paper supply tray 51 on top, the user can add paper to be easy to posture in paper supply tray 51.And in the present embodiment, because discharge tray 70 places paper supply tray 51 tops, the user also can collect the paper of discharging in discharge tray 70 to be easy to posture.In addition, reference number 54 expression manual feed trays, it is positioned at the image processing system side, wherein can insert the paper that manually provides.
Paper transportation path according to present embodiment designs as follows.Paper transportation path comprise from paper supply tray 51 roughly under first transport path 61 that extends, from paper supply tray 52,53 upwardly extending second transport paths 62, and the 3rd transport path 63 that extends from manual feed trays 54.These transport paths are partly located to converge at secondary transfer printing, then are connected to main transport path 64 and extend to discharge tray 70.
Be used for paper turning and paper turned back to secondary transfer printing upset transport path 65 partly extending along main transport path 64.These transport paths are provided with a lot of conveying rollers, thereby guarantee the conveying of paper.
Below with reference to the primary image forming process of Fig. 2 explanation according to the image processing system of present embodiment.When the view data of each color component (yellow, magenta, blue-green, black) that reads when document reading apparatus 10 is delivered to the exposure device 23 of each image formation unit 20 (20a is to 20d), on the photosensitive drums 21 of image formation unit 20, form the sub-image of each color component, sub-image is displayed by the developing apparatus 24 that the respective color toner is housed respectively, therefore each color component toner picture before the formation photographic fixing on photosensitive drums 21.
The primary transfer device 25 of each color component toner picture by primary transfer part primary transfer and being superimposed upon on the intermediate transfer belt 30 is sequentially partly located photosensitive drums 21 in primary transfer and is contacted with intermediate transfer belt 30 respectively before the photographic fixing.
Along with the rotation of intermediate transfer belt 30, looked like to be transported to the secondary transfer printing part by toner before the photographic fixing to the intermediate transfer belt 30 of such primary transfer, be the point of first transport path 61, second transport path 62 and the 3rd transport path 63 herein.
In the secondary transfer printing part, by the not shown transfer bias that applies between secondary transfer printing device 31 and idler roller 32, the toner picture is concentrated and is transferred to such as on the paper that transports from paper supply tray 51 grades before the photographic fixing on the intermediate transfer belt 30.Concentrate the preceding toner picture of the photographic fixing that is transferred on the paper by fixing device 40 photographic fixing, and be discharged to discharge tray 70 via main transport path 64.
Be described in detail in the course of work of fixing device 40 in this image forming course based on Fig. 3.
When having had by secondary transfer printing transfer printing the paper S of toner picture arrives by the heat absorption band 46 of not shown charging device charging before the photographic fixing, paper is adsorbed to heat absorption band 46 1 sides.In the present embodiment, because toner looks like to be transferred the downside at paper S before the photographic fixing, even paper S is adsorbed onto heat absorption band 46 1 sides, toner picture element amount can not worsen yet.
Before paper arrives fuser 41, utilize the toughness of paper S or separation claw or the like with paper from being with 64 to peel off, then side directed towards fuser 41 1, and pass the backer roll 411 of fuser 41 and the roll gap part between the warm-up mill 413, thereby with the toner before the photographic fixing on the paper as photographic fixing.Paper S is adsorbed to charged being with on 64 once more after the photographic fixing, and is transported to discharge section (by the distributing roller 48 and idler roller 47 processes that are provided with in opposite directions).Because being set at the translational speed of paper roll gap part between the backer roll 411 of fuser 41 and warm-up mill 413, the translational speed of heat absorption band 46 equates, so there is not any problem aspect the transportation performance of paper S.Under the situation of the toughness release papers of utilizing paper, can not use distributing roller 48.
In fixing device 40, the paper S that discharges from fuser 41 is heated roller 413 heating, therefore the temperature height of paper (normally, because the temperature of paper is increased to the fusing point of employed toner or higher, even after paper was just discharged from fuser 41, the temperature of paper also almost remained on the uniform temp value).Paper S is at the heat absorption section H A in fuser 41 downstreams contact heat absorption band 46, so the heat of paper S is transmitted to heat absorption band 46 1 sides, to increase the temperature of heat absorption band 46.In this case, owing to use strip as heat absorption band 46, the thermal capacitance of heat absorption band 46 may diminish to a certain degree, so the programming rate of heat absorption band (owing to absorbing heat) accelerates.And in this case, because the side surface of paper S is exposed in the atmosphere, the heat of paper S effectively is transmitted to the less heat absorption band 46 of thermal resistance and is absorbed by this heat absorption band 46.
And, after absorbing heat at heat absorption section H A, heat absorption band 46 along the circulation of its circulation mobile route move and the heat conduction portion HT of fuser 41 upstream sides with subsequently the paper S that is transferred is contacted, thereby will be transmitted on the paper at the heat that heat absorption section H A absorbs, with the paper preheating.
That is, according to present embodiment since used thickness be the Kapton of 75 μ m as heat absorption band 46, heat absorption band 46 can be realized absorbing heat and conducting heat to paper from paper.And, because being used as, above-mentioned idler roller 47 supports heat absorption band 46, thereby the heat that the idler roller 47 that has suppressed contact with heat absorption band 46 is absorbed (that is, and heat roller 47 absorptions that are tensioned, so heat absorption band 46 temperature additionally descend).
Like this, in the present embodiment,, realized being suitable for energy-conservation image processing system because paper can be reduced the required heat energy of photographic fixing by effective preheating before the photographic fixing.And,, begin just may carry out the heat absorption and the preheating of paper subsequently from the first lap of heat absorption band 46 because heat absorption band 46 absorption heats are fast.Like this, even repeating 10 paper or be less than in the use pattern of printing of 10 paper the heat in the time of also can reducing photographic fixing.And, since use thermal capacitance little be with 64, the heat interchange between heat absorption band 46 and the paper can be finished at short notice, thereby can make equipment miniaturization and can move under high speed.Certainly, according to the situation that device is used, the appropriate configuration of heat absorption band 46 can be different.
In the present embodiment, the paper surface that forms the toner picture paper sheet delivery during to fixing device 40 down.But, even the paper surface that forms the toner picture, also can use this device towards heat absorption band 46 1 sides, as long as the translational speed of control heat absorption band 46 and paper is scattered to prevent toner.
Equally, heat absorption band 46 itself can place the downside of the main transport path 64 of paper transportation path.And as the thermal source of fuser 41, for example, can use the heating lamp place of rollers, so that with noncontact mode heat fixer device.In addition, thermal source can place the paper top, perhaps can place the paper above and below.
In the present embodiment, although be set at the duration of contact of paper and fuser 41 upstream side heat conduction portion HT no better than the duration of contact of paper and fuser 41 downstream heat absorption section H A, but according to the temperature difference of heat absorption band 46 and paper or structure of device or the like, paper can be different from the duration of contact of paper at heat conduction portion HT in the duration of contact of heat absorption section H A.
And, on the heat diffusion auto levelizer that prevents heat absorption band 46 itself, the heat shield plate that uses metal etc. can be set above heat absorption band 46.
In the present embodiment, though a surface of heat absorption band 46 contact paper for example also can be provided with two and be with 46, so that when photographic fixing paper clamp is with between 46 at two.In the case, owing to be with 46 itself to be used to carry out the conduction of heat absorption and heat, therefore do not need to use such as the charging device that charges for paper being adsorbed onto heat absorption band 46 1 sides etc., simplified the structure of conveyance of sheets thus.In this case, can be provided with that thickness is essentially identical is with 46, so that each bar in two bands 46 all carries out essentially identical heat interchange with paper.In addition, two heat absorption bands can have different-thickness, so that a heat absorption band carries out more heat interchange than another.
Fig. 7 represent with above-mentioned embodiment in the different another kind of idler roller 47 of idler roller 47 (see figure 5) structures that uses.In the idler roller in this figure, be processed to as shown in the figure surface structure (uneven surface structure) as the froth bed 472 of heat insulation layer.
In this case, owing to form the froth bed 472 similar to above-mentioned embodiment, present embodiment also can suppress from the heat of heat absorption band 46 absorptions, realizes energy-conservation image processing system thereby can provide.
Second embodiment
Fig. 8 represents to be used for according to the present invention second embodiment of the fixing device 40 of image processing system.
Because the basic structure of the image processing system of present embodiment is identical with first embodiment, therefore omit its explanation, fixing device 40 only is described.In this figure, use the label identical to represent with the component part that first embodiment is similar, and omit its detailed description with first embodiment.
The fixing device 40 of present embodiment is a kind of in the band roll gap type, and wherein heat absorption band 46 passes in fuser 41.
Though the structure of fuser 41 is similar to first embodiment, because heat absorption band 46 passes the backer roll 411 of fuser 41 and the roll gap part between the warm-up mill 413, the programming rate of heat absorption band 46 is faster than first embodiment.
The heat absorption band 46 of present embodiment is also partly driven by above-mentioned roll gap and circulates mobile, make the paper S that is adsorbed to heat absorption band 46 at the heat conduction portion HT of fuser 41 upstream sides, in fact move to discharge section (constituting) by the distributing roller 48 and the idler roller 47 that are provided with in opposite directions there with heat absorption band 46.
In the present embodiment, because paper S is adsorbed onto on the heat absorption band 46 and carried by heat absorption band 46, prevent that therefore paper is wrapped on the fuser 41 so that causes paperboard.
Because present embodiment designs in this way, the heat absorption section H A in fuser 41 downstreams is present in roll gap part from fuser 41 on a long distance of discharge section, and heat absorption band 46 can effectively be carried out heat absorption.Like this, the rate of rise in temperature of heat absorption band 46 accelerates.And what the thermal capacitance of heat absorption band 46 can be than first embodiment is big, so heat can fully be transmitted on the paper at heat conduction portion HT.In this case, owing to when roll gap part is directly heated, further consumed the photographic fixing energy when heat absorption band 46, so present embodiment heats heat absorption band 46 by paper S.And when the polyimide resin that has a high-fire resistance when heat absorption band 46 usefulness is made, worsen in the present embodiment, even when heat absorption band 46 passes fuser 41, also can suppress the thermal behavior of heat absorption band 46.
Like this, present embodiment can obtain the effect similar to first embodiment.
Embodiment
First embodiment
In the present embodiment, in order to confirm the concrete pre-heat effect of paper, use and the essentially identical structure measurement temperature of first embodiment.
Each condition enactment in this case is as follows:
As idler roller, use that a kind of this SUS external diameter of pipe is 13mm at the roller of SUS tube-surface cladding thickness as 3mm rigid polyurethane foams (thermal conductivity is in 0.01～0.05W/ (mK) scope), thickness is 0.5mm.In the present embodiment, for simplified structure, idler roller is not designed to its heat insulation layer surface and has uneven shape, but is designed to be coated with the flat surfaces heat insulation layer of isocyanurate foam.
And the A4 size P paper (basic weight is 65gsm) that uses company of Fuji-Xerox to make is sent into paper in the mode of long edge side paper feeding (LEF).
When under these conditions, remain on 160 ℃ and per minute when printing the mode of 45 paper (the paper sheet delivery speed of fuser is 210mm/s) and carrying out print job with the warm-up mill surface temperature of fuser, can confirm: a circle is moved in circulation after the heat absorption band absorbs heat from a piece of paper, and the heat of absorption is transmitted on subsequently the paper.As a concrete result, the temperature that can observe paper when 25 ℃ of room temperatures is elevated to 35 ℃.And after 10 circles are moved in the circulation of heat absorption band (corresponding to 24 A4 paper), the paper temperature is elevated to 38 ℃.
That is, when the beginning photographic fixing, the temperature that the reduction of fuser heat energy raises corresponding to paper.
And, embodiment as a comparison, the idler roller that uses the surface not have the SUS pipe of heat insulation layer to make carries out similar experiment.In this case, can confirm: the paper temperature is elevated to 26 ℃ when a circle is moved in the circulation of heat absorption band, does not therefore have the heat absorption effect.Like this, can confirm: heat insulation layer is set on idler roller can produces the obvious and effective effect.
Second embodiment
Present embodiment is to experimentize with the first embodiment similar methods, and still, the formation of the idler roller that present embodiment uses is different with first embodiment's.
In the present embodiment, use the idler roller (see Fig. 5 and 6) identical with the first embodiment shape.The design of idler roller is that each projection width is 1.5mm, highly is 3mm, is disposed on the SUS tube-surface that thickness is 0.5mm with 7mm.Different with first embodiment, the heat insulation layer that present embodiment uses is made by the resin that thermal conductivity is equal to or less than 0.2W/ (mK).
In the present embodiment, can confirm: even use the idler roller of making greater than the resin (non-foam material) of first embodiment by thermal conductivity, contact area between idler roller and the heat absorption band also can reduce by uneven surface is set on idler roller, obtains thus and first
The effect that embodiment is similar.
In addition, the minimizing of contact area between idler roller and the heat absorption band (protrusion area) is that preferably the heat that the heat absorption band is absorbed diminishes.But contact area becomes according to the rigid state of heat absorption band, and owing to the tension force of heat absorption band makes projection produce wrinkle on the heat absorption band, thereby can influence the adsorbability of paper on the heat absorption band.Therefore, need suitably select projection, not produce this phenomenon.
The 3rd embodiment
In the present embodiment, estimate pre-heat effect during the thermal capacitance of the heat absorption band in changing the structure of first embodiment.
In the present embodiment, used thickness is that heat absorption band and the thickness of 75 μ m are the heat absorption band of 300 μ m.In this case, thickness is that the heat absorption band of 75 μ m is to be that the Kapton of 75 μ m is made by thickness, and thickness is that the heat absorption band of 300 μ m is by being that the Kapton rear surface lamination silicon rubber film of 75 μ m is made at thickness.
As first embodiment, idler roller is designed to be coated with at the SUS tube-surface roller of the rigid polyurethane foams that thickness is 3mm (thermal conductivity is in 0.01～0.05W/ (mK) scope), and wherein the SUS external diameter of pipe is 13mm, and thickness is 0.5mm.And, make the idler roller tool not form uneven surface, but form flat surfaces.
When measuring pre-heat effect, measurement will enter the temperature of the paper before the fuser, and (beginning to pass fuser) measures the paper variation of temperature over time when photographic fixing begins.
As shown in Figure 9, the measurement result that obtains is, is the heat absorption band of 75 μ m for thickness, and the paper temperature raises fast, and reaches 38 ℃ when photographic fixing begins back 10 seconds, and almost saturated.On the contrary, be the heat absorption band of 300 μ m for thickness, the paper temperature slowly raises, and then reaches about 33 ℃ when photographic fixing begins back 10 seconds, and even the state that after 50 seconds, also do not reach capacity, but raise gradually.And, be the heat absorption band of 300 μ m for thickness, the temperature of paper is elevated to and surpasses 38 ℃, and this is to use thickness is the paper temperature of heat absorption band after about 30 seconds of 75 μ m.
In other words, when the thickness (thermal capacitance) of heat absorption band (thickness is 75 μ m in the present embodiment) no better than during used paper thickness, the paper temperature raises fast.On the contrary, when the big heat absorption band of used thickness, the paper temperature slowly raises.But, when the time that paper passes through is elongated, the band that the band that thickness is big is little with respect to thickness, because the heat storage effect of band, the paper temperature is owing to heat absorption (heat absorption efficient) becomes higher.
This result represents, according to the user mode of device, optimizes heat absorption efficient by the thickness that changes band.That is, can the little band of used thickness under the use pattern of printing a small amount of paper once in a while.On the contrary, printing under the use pattern of tens paper or continuously under the use pattern of print paper, can the big relatively band of used thickness.
In order to specify and to describe, provide the foregoing description of embodiment of the present invention.It is not to be used for exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the concrete form that has disclosed.Obviously, for being familiar with one of skill in the art, many improvement and change will be tangible.For principle of the present invention and practical application thereof are described best, select and described described embodiment, thereby make that being familiar with others skilled in the art person can understand each embodiment of the present invention and be suitable for expecting the various embodiments of specific use.Scope of the present invention is by following claim and substituting determine of being equal to thereof.
The application number that on August 3rd, 2004 submitted to is the whole contents of the Japanese patent application of 2004-226794, comprises instructions, claim, accompanying drawing and summary, and it all incorporates this paper into way of reference.
Claims (11)
1. fixing device comprises:
Heat the heating unit of the toner picture on first recording medium; And
Heat absorption and conduction unit are used to absorb the heat of first recording medium of sending from described heating unit, and the heat that will so absorb conducts to and will be fed to second recording medium of described heating unit,
Wherein, described heat absorption and conduction unit comprise tape member, and described tape member is stretching on a plurality of tensioner and moves around a plurality of tensioner circulations, carrying first and second recording mediums,
Described tape member has the heat absorption part in the downstream of heating unit, and has the heat conduction portion in the upstream of heating unit,
Wherein, described heat absorption partly contacts first recording medium, and under the periphery of contact region is adiabatic state, absorbs heat from described first medium, and
Described heat conduction portion contacts second recording medium, and under the periphery of contact region is adiabatic state, conducts heat to second recording medium.
2. fixing device as claimed in claim 1,
Wherein, the heat absorption of described tape member partly contacts a side surface of first and second recording mediums respectively with the heat conduction portion.
3. fixing device as claimed in claim 1,
Wherein, described tape member and described heating unit are provided with being spaced apart.
4. fixing device as claimed in claim 1,
Wherein, described tape member is set so that it passes the heating part of described heating unit.
5. fixing device as claimed in claim 1,
Wherein, at least one in described a plurality of tensioner has heat insulation layer on its outmost surface.
6. fixing device as claimed in claim 2,
Wherein, described heat absorption partly contacts a side surface of first recording medium and second recording medium respectively with the heat conduction portion, described surface and the surface opposite that has formed the toner picture.
7. fixing device as claimed in claim 5,
Wherein, the heat insulation layer of described tensioner is formed on the surface of metal cylinder roller.
8. fixing device as claimed in claim 5,
Wherein, described heat insulation layer is formed by elastic foam material.
9. fixing device as claimed in claim 5,
Wherein, the air spots of described heat insulation layer is smooth, with the area that reduces to contact with described tape member.
10. fixing device as claimed in claim 1,
Wherein, the outmost air spots of at least one in described a plurality of tensioner is smooth, with the area that reduces to contact with described tape member.
11. an image processing system comprises:
On recording medium, form the image formation unit of toner picture; And
The toner that will form on recording medium is as the fixing device of photographic fixing,
Wherein, described fixing device comprises:
Heat the heating unit of the toner picture on first recording medium; And
Heat absorption and conduction unit are used to absorb the heat of first recording medium of sending from described heating unit, and the heat that will so absorb conducts to and will be fed to second recording medium of described heating unit,
Wherein, described heat absorption and conduction unit comprise tape member, and described tape member is stretching on a plurality of tensioner and moves around a plurality of tensioner circulations, carrying first and second recording mediums,
Described tape member has the heat absorption part in the downstream of heating unit, and has the heat conduction portion in the upstream of heating unit,
Wherein, described heat absorption partly contacts first recording medium, and under the periphery of first contact region is adiabatic state, from the first absorption of recording medium heat, and,
Described heat conduction portion contacts second recording medium, and under the periphery of contact region is adiabatic state, conducts heat to second recording medium.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2004226794 | 2004-08-03 | ||
| JP2004226794 | 2004-08-03 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN1734368A true CN1734368A (en) | 2006-02-15 |
| CN100442165C CN100442165C (en) | 2008-12-10 |
Family
ID=35757556
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNB2005100511046A Expired - Fee Related CN100442165C (en) | 2004-08-03 | 2005-02-28 | Fixing device and image forming device using the same |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US7283779B2 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN100442165C (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20100034567A1 (en) * | 2008-08-06 | 2010-02-11 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Fixing device and image forming apparatus |
| JP2012103610A (en) * | 2010-11-12 | 2012-05-31 | Konica Minolta Business Technologies Inc | Fixing device and image forming apparatus |
| JP6446797B2 (en) * | 2014-03-17 | 2019-01-09 | 株式会社リコー | Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus |
Family Cites Families (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH03278079A (en) * | 1990-03-28 | 1991-12-09 | Canon Inc | Image fixing method |
| DE69122592T2 (en) * | 1990-11-30 | 1997-02-27 | Canon Kk | Fixing device and associated ink jet recording device |
| DE69219203T2 (en) * | 1991-05-30 | 1997-08-07 | Kao Corp | Process for generating fixed images |
| JPH08328412A (en) | 1995-03-29 | 1996-12-13 | Minolta Co Ltd | Fixing method |
| JP2000338803A (en) | 1999-05-27 | 2000-12-08 | Dainippon Screen Mfg Co Ltd | Electrophotographic device |
| US6122476A (en) * | 1999-10-01 | 2000-09-19 | Xerox Corporation | "Green" rapid recovery fusing apparatus |
| US6496680B2 (en) * | 2000-02-16 | 2002-12-17 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Image fixing device and method using ultrasonic vibration |
| US6795678B2 (en) * | 2001-11-29 | 2004-09-21 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Image forming apparatus for fixing a toner image on a sheet or recording medium by use of a belt member |
| JP3755516B2 (en) * | 2003-02-14 | 2006-03-15 | コニカミノルタビジネステクノロジーズ株式会社 | Heat fixing device |
| US7139520B2 (en) * | 2003-06-20 | 2006-11-21 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Fixing device, nipping device, and image forming apparatus |
-
2005
- 2005-02-17 US US11/059,539 patent/US7283779B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2005-02-28 CN CNB2005100511046A patent/CN100442165C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US20060029443A1 (en) | 2006-02-09 |
| CN100442165C (en) | 2008-12-10 |
| US7283779B2 (en) | 2007-10-16 |
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